Pope’s suffering not like Christ’s

Job, the Bible states, was “blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.”

He was not part of an organization that turned a blind eye, while others abused innocent children for decades. Pope Benedict in no martyr in this grievous matter.

Christ was nailed to the cross for Pope Benedict, the abusers, the abused and every other person who has ever lived. His suffering and death is not to be compared to our trifling – usually well deserved – discipline.

He is the only reason any of us has a hope.

Cherryl Katnich, Maple Ridge

Roman Catholicism is the only ‘ism’ that demands celibacy. Russian and Greek orthodoxy allow their priests to marry.  

Priests who have left the Roman Catholic clergy are adamant that celibacy is the reason for the sexual abuse; it’s not a new phenomenon.  

Scripturally, Paul declared it is “better to marry than to burn.”"In that sense, these priests are “burning.” The urge to procreate is powerful. Why would God give the human family this urge, only to forbid it?

If this happened outside of the church, these people would be in jail.  The Catholic church has not dealt with this travesty – which only shows the Pope is not infallible!

Constance Murphy, Burnaby

Re:"‘Catholicism an obstacle to unity’ (May, Readers’ Forum):"

How generous and expansive of Ron Hutchinson to assure us errant Catholics of his love and compassion for us.

He would have us know that he has met “hundreds if not thousands of people raised as Roman Catholics.” He goes on to tell us that almost to a man/woman, they are “plagued with guilt, shame and doubt.”

Logically, this implies that all others – Protestants, atheists, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, et cetera – are without these feelings of remorse for their failings.

I have always believed the indispensable condition for receiving pardon was the open avowal of guilt. I was taught that God’s mercy is infinite – but that it is not indiscriminate.  

I am not one of those who proclaim themselves ‘saved,’ who are often able  to proclaim the hour and day of their deliverance.  

Larry Bennett, Burnaby

Ignatieff no friend of Christianity

Re the article ‘Ignatieff  reaching out to Christian community’ (April):

I trust the Liberal Party of Canada paid for the article, or made a substantial contribution to the paper. If not, you have erred in printing the article.  

This has been clearly confirmed by the position Ignatieff and the Liberal Party of Canada have taken on Prime Minister Harper’s initiative on family health funding in their foreign aid package.

The article makes reference to Senator David Smith. I am well acquainted with the role Smith’s father played in the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada; and I’m acquainted with the Senator’s brother, George, who was a pastor and teacher in the PAOC.

When the Liberal Party of Canada began dismantling all of Canada’s ties with Christianity, I wrote to Smith questioning his continued support of the party in his role of president. Naturally, I never received a reply.  

I was also quite surprised at the ongoing support David Mainse seemed to give the Liberals. He eventually had an epiphany and then became an activist against these very forces. Why did it take so long for him to see the truth?  

It is very sad to see MP John McKay allowing himself to be used as a tool, to win more Christian support for the Liberals.

If your paper is serious about promoting Christian politicians, you would do far better to feature Prime Minister Harper, Stockwell Day, or a host of other government MPs who actually allow their Christian faith to guide their performance in the Commons.  

Michael Ignatieff and the Liberal Party of Canada are no friends of Christianity!

Alfred Schalm, Salmon Arm

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Only God truly answers prayers

Re ‘Prayer works without God’s help’ (May, Readers’ Forum):

Prayer is not simply some ‘magic bullet.’ Essentially, it is part of how we relate to God – whether we pray aloud or silently. Ultimately, all glory must be given to God.  

As for any answers to Frank Sterle’s “non-divine prayers”: that shows how gracious God is. He sends rain upon (and feeds) both the righteous and the unrighteous.  

We need to remember that the terms ‘unrighteous’ and ‘righteous’ have less to do with what kind of person each of us is, than whether or not we know, trust and have faith in God. Righteousness comes from him, not merely from our words or actions.

I think Sterle is wrong to say that prayer works without God’s help. In fact, I believe all answered prayers come from God, whether the person praying knows him or not.

Patrick Longworth, Surrey

Many years ago, my agnosticism fell away on the delivery table. My firstborn son was not breathing – and I literally heard a voice saying the Lord’s Prayer, when no one else did. My son did survive – and I dedicated him to God.

When I was about to give birth to my daughter, I prayed for reassurance. I sensed in my being that it was going to be a girl (no ultrasound in those days), to be born the next day at 9 am. Those details came true, and the delivery was flawless.

Before long, I became an avid pray–er.  

One day, I was hiking in a forest– and had a mini-stroke.

I cried out to God – and within minutes my paralyzed body could move.  

When my husband died on a ski hill, I cried out to God – and I sensed a peace that I didn’t expect.

These are only a few of the many answers to my prayers. They had nothing to do with other people, or positive thoughts.  

God has been in relationship with me for years, and answered many prayers – because I believe he can.  

Try it.

G.B. Ellingson, Kelowna

Culture of life gaining momentum

For those who love life and consider it sacred, recent encouraging developments in Ottawa have to be a refreshing wind in their sails. The culture of life is still very much alive in Canada, and there is growing evidence the pro-life movement is gaining  momentum.      

Canada’s largest ever March for Life had 12,000-plus people on Parliament Hill, with standing room only at many of the events.

And they were in good spirits, because of the recent defeat of legislation in Parliament to legalize euthanasia – and the vote to  exclude abortion in the G8 maternal health initiative.      

There can be little doubt that the abortion debate will be very much a part of the next federal election campaign.

It is simply unacceptable that an otherwise intelligent country like Canada (while progressive on many human rights issues) still allows unrestricted abortion – where a fetus can be aborted right up to the day of birth.

Meanwhile, countries like Britain, Spain and the Netherlands at least exercise a minimum of restraint, in prohibiting abortion  after 20 weeks.      

This just fight – not unlike the battle to abolish slavery, led by William Wilberforce in the British Empire in the early 1800s – is a spiritual and moral battle for the right to life  and the defence of the unborn.

A growing number have the courage to wage  this war.  

Gerald Hall, Parksville

June 2010